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M. Cesarik et al.: Roman Military Medicine, Coll.Coll. Antropol. Antropol. 40 40 (2016) (2016) 3: 3: ???–??? ???–??? Original scientifi c paper RRomanoman MilitaryMilitary MMedicineedicine aandnd CCroatianroatian AArchaeologicalrchaeological PPerspectiveserspectives MMarijanarijan CesarikCesarik1, NNikolaikola CCesarikesarik2, DDarkoarko DDuplanuplančić3, DDavidavid ŠŠtrmeljtrmelj4 1 Požega County General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Požega, Croatia. 2 University of Zadar, Department of Archaeology, Zadar, Croatia. 3 University of Split, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia 4 Vjekoslava Maštrovića 19, 23000 Zadar, Croatia AABSTRACTB S T R A C T This article offers a general examination of the sources responsible for understanding Roman military medicine, start- ing with literal and epigraphical sources all the way to archaeological remains consisting of hospitals, the infrastructure of military garrisons and small medical tools. Given that not one of the literary sources does not directly mention the medical personnel within the various military units, epigraphical discoveries widely represent the main source of our knowledge on the subject. On the other hand, the archaeological exploration of military garrisons offers proof of the medical care of Roman soldiers. If at fi rst it appears that Roman military medicine is perfectly obvious and clear, actu- ally this is not the case as many questions remain to be answered and debated. In all this, Croatia has its own archaeo- logical perspective, where notably, one site stands out, which could hold a key role according to the layout of buildings within the garrison including its hospital. Key words: Roman Military Medicine, epigraphy, archaeology, Roman military camps, Burnum IIntroductionntroduction The Roman army of the Principate was certainly one sources on the matter, but also to show what the main of the most effi cient and most organized armies of all time. evidence and problems are regarding reconstructing the Military organisation and hierarchy, defi ned pattern of organisation of Roman military service and present Croa- military advancement, but also the art of warfare itself tian archaeological perspectives in contributing and an- were perhaps Rome’s greatest achievement and legacy. It swering the question. was the pillar on which all other civilizational acquisitions stood – from art and urbanization to economy and com- SSecondaryecondary SourcesSources merce. A clearly defi ned hierarchical system, logistical backup Many authors have written on the subject of Roman and the art of discipline were the main conditions for the military medicine, but the work of Roy Davies is still the 1–4 success of Roman army, but one thing that certainly de- most fundamental one . He processed the literary sourc- veloped its effi ciency was the organisation of military es and epigraphical evidence, as well as the archaeological medical service. remains, and not much has changed since he wrote his articles. Patricia Baker has handled the matter from a Although there is a lot of evidence, which proves that strict archaeological view5, and recently Lawrence J. Roman military units had different varieties of medical Bliquez has published a monograph on Greek and Roman services inside their forts and fortresses, none of the sour- medical tools6. The last, thoroughly interesting paper on ces speak of it directly, so many claims about Roman the matter has come from the pen of Duncan Campbell7. military medicine are still the questions of debate. Con- There are also some works that tried to re-open some of sequently, it would be helpful to present the primary the questions, but they will be presented below. Received for publication August 19, 2016 1 M. Cesarik et al.: Roman Military Medicine, Coll. Antropol. 40 (2016) 3: ???–??? LLiteraryiterary SSourcesources tamination of water and the fouls the smell itself, as the drinking water is tainted and the air infected. The only There are not many literary sources that address Ro- way to prevent this is frequent changes of encampment.« man military medicine, and as we said before, none of As can be seen, Vegetius does not tell anything about them is strictly devoted to it. The work of Vegetius is cer- the organization of the physicians in the Roman army, but tainly the most important one (and is certainly the most is simply saying what an army should or should not to do detailed one), but with the main problem being that ‘was in certain situations. But still, his words show that health neither a historian nor a soldier: his work is a compilation was of great importance to the army’s effi ciency and that carelessly constructed from material of all ages, a conge- the health of soldiers was the duty of their offi cers and 8 ries of inconsistencies’ . It is not clear when actually Veg- commanders. Although he emphasized that regular exer- etius wrote his work, but it was certainly written at the cise is more benefi cial to health than any kind of medicine end of the fourth and the beginning of the fi fth century (i.e. that the best way to treat the illness is not to get it at AD. Since he wrote in the period when the Roman state all), Vegetius’ passage is important because it proves that had lost its infl uence and strength, and when the military physicians had a certain role in the organisation of the glory of Rome had vanished long ago, it is not surprising Roman army. that Vegetius often criticised the army of his age calling There is another reference on military medicine by upon the days of glory. The most important passage of Vegetius, where he mentions that the prefect of the camp Vegetius on the matter of military medicine is in the third is in charge of the medical organisation of the legion (Veg- book of his De re militari where he writes on the means of etius, On military matters, 2.10): preserving the health of soldiers (Vegetius, On military matters, 3.2): »He was responsible for the sick soldiers and the medi- ci by whom they were looked after, and also the expenses »Now, I shall discuss a matter which must be given the involved.« utmost care: the means whereby the health of the army The rest of the sources about military medics are very may be preserved, namely by situation, water-supply, sea- poor. For instance, Galen – one of the most famous physi- son, medicine, and exercise. As far as situation is con- cians in antiquity – criticises the army doctors during the cerned, do not keep the troops in an unhealthy region in Marcomannic wars of Marcus Aurelius, for not using the the vicinity of marshes that bring diseases, on arid plains bodies of death barbarians in their own improvement of or hills lacking trees to provide shade, or in summer out knowledge (Galen, On the composition of medicine, of doors without tents. Do not let them contract ailments 13.604.). According to the Historia Augusta, the emperor through the heat of the sun and the fatigue of the journey Aurelian declared that the soldiers should get medical as a result of setting out too late, but rather in time of care without charge (Historia Augusta, Life of Deifi ed excessive heat they should start the journey before day- Aurelian, 7.8.): break, and thus reach their destination in good time. In the depths of winter do not let them march through snows »Let one yield obedience to another as a soldier and no and frosts by night, nor suffer from lack of fi rewood or one as a slave, let them be attended by the physicians inadequate supplies of clothing. A soldier who is compelled without charge, let them give no fees to soothsayers, let to freeze, is not suited for campaign or health. Do not allow them conduct themselves in their lodgings with propriety, the army to use water that is unwholesome or marshy, as and let anyone who begins a brawl be thrashed.« drinking bad water, just like poison, causes illnesses for There is also the statement of Modestinus (preserved the men. It is the constant duty of senior offi cers, com- in Justinian’s Digest) that the military doctors were ex- manding offi cers, and generals to seek diligently that sick empt from taxation because their profession served the soldiers should be brought back to health by suitable food state (Digest of Roman law, 4.6.33.2). Justinian’s Codex and cured by the skills of the doctors. Men who are hard preserved an edict of Emperor Antoninus Pius in which it pressed by the exigencies of war and illness, are badly off. is stated that the legionary physician was exempt from But experts in military matters have been of the opinion civic duties while he served the state, and that he would that as far as the health of the troops is concerned, daily enjoy his profession’s privileges on his return to civilian exercises with arms is of greater benefi t than doctors. Ac- life (Codex Iustinianus, 10.53.1). cordingly, they wished the infantry to be exercised under »If, as you allege you are serving as the physician of cover without interruption from rain or snow and on other the Second Legion, you cannot be compelled to perform days in the open. Similarly, they ordered the cavalry to civil services as long as you are absent on business for the exercise rider and horse continually in the plains and also State. After your connection with the army has ceased, on broken ground and diffi cult terrain pitted with gullies; however, and you have returned, you will be entitled to their aim was so that nothing could happen in the exi- exemption, if you are included in the number of those phy- gency of battle that was unknown to them.

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